MEDIA STATEMENT
It is estimated that 16 million have been affected by severe flooding across South Asia. Tearfund is working with partners in Nepal, India and Bangladesh to support as many people as they can. With a third of Bangladesh underwater and the situation expected to worsen, Tearfund has been rapidly responding to the most urgent needs.
Tearfund’s Head of Asia, Steve Collins, said ‘We are seeing widespread destruction and many families have lost everything. Food, clean water and access to medical care are critical needs right now. Through our partners we are distributing dry food and nutritional supplements for children, and where we can, we have set up communal kitchens to provide daily hot meals. We are also supplying safe drinking water, hygiene kits and are running emergency medical camps. Basic items like tents, blankets and sleeping mats are also in demand so we are providing many communities with these urgent items. Some of the affected areas are extremely difficult to access and, as is almost always the case, local people are helping each other, doing what they can to rescue their neighbours and make it to safer ground. We would ask people to pray for the millions affected and welcome any support people can give as we continue our response.’
To give to Tearfund's disasters' work, please go to: https://www.tearfund.org/give/when_disaster_strikes/
Notes to Editors
- For more information or interview requests please contact Sarah Baldwin in the Tearfund Media Team sarah.baldwin@tearfund.org or call 07776 211518
- Tearfund works in over 50 countries and is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee www.dec.org
